"Fretum Magellannicum, und Dessen Eigentliche Beschreibung, so die Hollender durch Schifft und auch der Leng Beschreiben ", Bry, Theodore de

This copper engraving is from a remarkable series of publications, illustrating voyages of discovery and travels of exploration to various parts of the world. The project was begun by Theodore de Bry of Frankfurt, in 1590 and was to continue for another 54 years. They became known collectively as the Grands Voyages (to America and the West Indies) and the Petits Voyages (to the Orient and the East Indies). De Bry died after the first six parts of the Grands Voyages were completed. The project was completed initially by his widow and two sons, Johann Theodore de Bry and Johann Israel de Bry, then by his son-in-law, Matthaus Merian in 1644.

This small copper engraved map illustrates the voyages of Sebald de Weert and Olivier van Noordt through the Straits of Magellan in 1598. It features renderings of the native inhabitants taken from the illustrations to De Weert’s voyage and an interesting depiction of a penguin and a giant snail. The map is further adorned with a compass rose orienting the map with south at the top, and two strapwork cartouches. The lower cartouche encloses an alphabetical key identifying the sites and illustrations featured on the map.

References: Garratt (TMC-9) pp. 2-11, #G13.

Condition: A

A crisp impression on a bright, watermarked sheet with soft extraneous creasing and small remnants of hinge tape on verso.